Jesus and Law (8)

Jesus said that loving our neighbour was the second most important commandment.

The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself (Matt 22:39).

Love of neighbour is the heart of the law, so applications of the law must be based on love of neighbour. Therefore, we must read the law through the lens of love for our neighbour. The word neighbour extends to everyone in our community.

The parable of the Good Samaritan was a message about understanding the law. The Priest and the Levite complied with a strict interpretation of the law, but they did not understand it. Jesus exposed this problem, but we continue to accept a Jewish interpretation of the law. Those who seek the Kingdom of God, must apply the law in the same way as the Good Samaritan, and Jesus.